About Wintersong

Wintersong is a fabulous choral weekend led by Rachel Hore and Stephen Taberner annually in the Blue Mountains, NSW since 2000.

Two weekends to choose from in 2026, held at the Brahma Kumaris Centre, Leura, Blue Mountains, NSW.

Wintersong 1: 19 – 21 June with Rachel Hore and Stephen Taberner.
Wintersong 2:  3 – 5 July with Rachel Hore and Special Guest Tutor Kristina Olsen (USA/Canada).

Learn wonderful new choral arrangements, and explore the beautiful power of singing amongst 100 other singers. The Brahma Kumaris retreat centre provides a gorgeous backdrop of cosy fires, vegetarian food, misty walks through ghost gums and fabulous hospitality.

Experienced singers and beginners all welcome. Youth Scholarships available. Choose from residential or non-residential accommodation options.

Your Tutors

Rachel Hore OAM leads choral workshops for groups, schools, festivals and community events throughout Australia and internationally. A much sought-after teacher of choral singing, Rachel writes and arranges songs for choirs, conducts massed choral events, leads numerous singing tours to the Pacific and Europe, and has been performing and teaching for over 30 years. She was the founding Director of Big Sing Community which created annual singing camps on Country for Indigenous and non-Indigenous singers. She is the musical director of the Canberra Pop Up Choir, a choir of 150 singers.

Stephen Taberner is a NZ-born and Australian-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and conductor, best known for his leadership of the Spooky Men’s Chorale, as well as his work with choirs and singing workshops. He is highly in demand as a singing workshop leader, community music facilitator and composer. Rachel and Stephen have co-led Wintersong annually since 2000.

Kristina Olsen (USA/Canada) is a superb multi-instrumentalist (acoustic guitar, steel-body slide guitar, saxophone, concertina, banjo, mandolin and piano) as well as an award-winning songwriter with a big bluesy voice. Her mix of powerful songs ranging from sassy bottleneck blues to lilting ballads to swing jazz to raunch and roll (as well as her hilarious storytelling) makes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience. Kristina has recently completed composing and arranging a brand-new choral work which she is proud to showcase at this year’s Wintersong. Kristina is stepping in as Special Guest Co-tutor at Wintersong 2, 2026 while Stephen travels with the Spooky Men.

Venue

The Brahma Kumaris retreat centre in Leura, NSW, is set in beautiful bushland that includes established Mountain gardens, a lovely creek, singing hall with central heating and dining room with roaring fire. Meals are all vegetarian at Brahma Kumaris. Please note that no alcohol, smoking or drugs are permitted on the site.

Accommodation

Residential accommodation (reserved with your booking) is twin or triple share (all singles) with ensuite bathroom. We are not able to offer single rooms.

Program

Registration is from 4pm on Friday evening. Each day starts at 9am with a series of singing sessions. There is time for electives, free time and a concert on Saturday night. Wintersong finishes at 3pm on Sunday.

Wintersong 2025* prices

*For reference only – 2026 prices to be confirmed.

Residential (includes accommodation and all meals)
Full – $595
Conc – $540
Youth (under 21) – $345

Non-residential (includes lunch and dinner)
Full – $510
Conc – $455
Youth (under 21) – $215

All prices include GST. Booking fees applied at checkout.

Important booking confirmation information

Your booking and deposit does not immediately guarantee you a place at Wintersong. Your place/s at Wintersong will be confirmed via email as quickly as possible. If we are unable to confirm your place you will be moved to a priority Waiting List. Your deposit will be refunded in full if we cannot allocate you a place.

Youth Scholarships

We have 8 Youth Scholarship places available for young people (26 and under) who need financial assistance to attend Wintersong.

When bookings open in March 2026 you can apply by selecting ‘Youth Scholarship APPLICATION’ from the ticket options and tell us about yourself, your musical interests and why you’d like financial assistance.  We will let you know if you have been allocated a Youth Scholarship place soon after we receive your application.

Enquiries

Contact: Jodie Lee
Email: jodie@rachelhore.com

Balance payments

Upon confirmation of your booking you will receive a link for balance payments.
Balance payments due by Friday 22 May 2026 (for Wintersong 1) and Friday 5 June 2026 (for Wintersong 2). 

Cancellations and refunds

Please notify us as soon as possible if you cannot attend Wintersong by emailing jodie@rachelhore.com.
Deposits are non-refundable. Balance payments are refundable upon cancellation only if your place can be filled.